Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, looking at social media recently around the new Cannabis Commission and cannabis sales in the Northwest Territories, I saw an image yesterday posted on the commission's website saying, "Unfortunately, we are sold out. Product will not be available until further notice." I have received some complaints that online orders haven't shipped, and no notices have been provided to residents.
After six days, it seems like we are having issues with the operation of our Cannabis Commission. Can the Minister of Finance provide some clarity on whether or not there is product left in the Northwest Territories, and what the hold-up is on sales? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, because this is new, I mean, there were going to be some hiccups, and, unfortunately, we have run into a few of them. As far as the product goes, this is an issue that is facing the whole country, actually. They are having supply issues across the country.
We had three major suppliers who we were dealing with. We are actually looking to identify any more federally approved suppliers who might be able to supply the Northwest Territories with some product.
Can the Minister advise the House on what the total cannabis sales or cannabis product sales-to-date are? Can he provide an update?
In the first four days of operation of legal cannabis, there was about $129,600 worth of sales. $10,900 of this was online sales, and sales took part in all regions of the Northwest Territories.
It seems like a popular product, and it seems to be flying off the shelves. Can the Minister confirm if the supply notice that was provided, at the Yellowknife store at least, if that is in fact true, that they have no more supply to offer folks in Yellowknife?
My understanding is that they have run out of product. As I said earlier, they are looking at trying to bring more product in from the three suppliers that we have.
I have been reading the news, as well. I read the news every morning to see what is going to be raised in the Chamber today, and I know that this is an issue that is facing the country. They are having supply issues all across the country. Once the initial rush is off, we think things will probably stabilize a bit. I am not sure that we anticipated the level that was going to be needed, as far as cannabis goes, across the country.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's 30 kilos of cannabis in four days or six days. Again, it seems that the demand is quite strong in the Northwest Territories, and we don't know, at this point, if it is an initial rush or if this is a market thing.
Does this new market data give confidence to the Minister that there is a viable market for cannabis in the Northwest Territories, and how does that reflect on our current regulations for private sales? Thank you.
It is an indication of the use of cannabis across the Northwest Territories. I did expect that there was going to be a bit of a rush, and I thought that, once the rush was over, it would stabilize a bit, but early indicators are that it seems to be a product that is in high demand.
As far as the vendors go, it seems to be that there is a market for vendors. They may run into the same issues that we have. However, having said that, the regulations are out, so anybody who wants to be a vendor can put their application in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
